Release apparatus



Aug. 19, 1952 C, KINNEY :TAL 2,607,413

Y RELEASE APPARATUS Filed July 3, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 |72 |24 H 1o 12a INVENToRs KEN/ver# D. PETERsoN E 5 fREDER/cx AJR/Nes BY DAVID K1/meuf Aug- 19, 1952 D. c. KINNEY ET A1.. 2,607,413

RELEASE APPARATUS Filed July 3, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet "5.

A TTU/WWE Y Patented Aug. 19, 1952 RELEASE APPARATUS* David C. Kinney, East Detroit, and Kenneth D. Peterson and Frederick A. Ringe, Detroit.' Mich., assignors to Bendix Aviation Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application July a, 195o, serial No. 171,868

. ,14 Claims.

This invention relates to release apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for releasing a firstmechanism from a second-mechanism a predetermined'time interval after the occurrence of'a predetermined force. The invention incorporates safety features which permit the release apparatus to operate only upon the occurrence of the predetermined force. f

' As a result of the great advances which have been madein meteorological knowledge during the past few years, it is now believed that measurements' of air temperature and pressure at altitudes up to-1005000 feet may-be of considerable value in predicting future Weather conditions'. For example, slight changes inV temperature and/or pressure at diierent altitudes may influence cloud formation, Winddirection and Wind velocity..

lSystems are known for accurately and reliably measuring temperature and pressure at different altitudes so that slight changes in these conditions can be detected. Such systems convert the temperature and pressure measurements rinto a form which can be accurately transmitted to a groundstation'for recordation and analysis.

VIn such systems, the measuring fand transmitting equipment is housed in the nose of a rocket which rises to a height of 100,000 feet after being launched. At substantially the maximum height of the rocket, the rocketnose is detached and a parachute attached to the measuring and transmitting-equipment is opened so that the equipment will descend gradually to the ground. The temperature and pressure measurements are made as the equipment descends.

This inventionprovides apparatus for separatingthe rocket nose from the rocket body at substantially the instant that the rocket has reached its maximum height. The invention employs a timing mechanism which is lcocked vwhen the rocket is Y launched andv which is .operatively trippedwhen the rocket starts to lslovv down after it has consumed itslfuel. The timing mechanism operates during the 4time that the rocket'is continuing vupwardly with a graduallyv decreasing speed. Y As the rocket reaches its maximum height, the timing mechanism 'frees a spring in the release mechanism, and the spring operates rst to detach, and then to catapult, the rocket nose .from the rocket body. The timing mechanism can be cocked only bythe' large accelerating force required to launch. the rocket .and the release mechanism can be operated only after the timing mechanism has 'been cocked and tripped. As "a result,` a safety factor .isprovided to yprevent Z the rocket noseffrom becoming detached rocket body until after the rocket has been launched. p

An object of this invention is to provide apparatus for releasing a first mechanism from a second mechanism after the occurrence of a predetermined force. y

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus of the above indicated character `for delaying the release of a first mechanism from a second-mechanism for a predetermined time interval after the occurrence of a predetermined force.

A Yfurther object is Yto provide apparatus of the above indicated character for detachingand then catapulting, la-ilrst mechanism from a second mechanism.

Another object'of the inventionis to provide apparatus of the above indicated character `for releasing the nose of a rocket from the rocket body at substantially the maximum height of the rocket. n

Still another object is -to provide vrelease apparatus of the Vabove indicated character, incorporating safety featuresto prevent the apparatus from being operated manually or accidentally. v

A still further Objectis to provide release apparatus of the above indicated vcharacter which is simple, compact, efficient and reliable. p

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from a detailed description Yof the invention and from-theappended drawings and claims. l'

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is anelevational view in section of the release apparatus;

Figure 2 .is a fragmentary sectional view substantially on the lin-e 2 2 of Figure 1 and shows, in addition, apparatus for temporarily holding the different componentsin position vwhile the Figure vv3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational View as seen from'the right side of Figure Y1 and.

, showsfn V'detail'a latch for holding the rocket nose' to lthe 'rocket body during the ascent cf the rocket;v

Figure 4 is an lenlarged fragmentary sectional vieW substantially 'fon the line -'d ofFigure jl; 'Figures' 5 and 6 are sectional views substantially on the lines 5-5 and 6 6, respectively, of Figure 1;

Figure *l is .an enlarged elevational vieiv'of the timing mechanism shown in Figure l;

Figurex is'a bottom plan -view ofthe timing mechanismfshownin-Figure '7;

from thev I (Figure 1) is provided for a rocket motor I2Y and a container I4. A parachute I is stored in the container |4 and is attached by a link I6 to a supporting cylinder I1 which is positioned pare tially within the housing I0 and partially within a casing I8. The housing vIltis attached by latches, generally indicated at I9, to the casing I8, which serves as the nose ofthe rocket.v -The casing I8 houses apparatus (not shown) adapted to measure temperature and pressure at different altitudes and to transmit these measurements to a ground station forv recordation and analysis.

The latches VI9 have links 20 (Figures 1'and3) which are pivotally mounted at one end on pins 22 journaled in the casing I8. The links 2,0r fit in sockets 24 inthe casing I8 andhousing I0 and are properly positioned inthe Ysockets by keys 26 grooved as at 21. Links 28 tin sockets 30 in the housing |0 and pivot on pins 3| -journaled in the links l20. The links 28 taper at one end so as to t in the'grooves 21 when the latches I9 are in their closed position, and at their other end the links hold studs 32 (Figures 1 and 3) which extend through holes 34 (Figure 4) in the housing I0. At their shank ends, the studs have throat portions 36 which extend through slots 31 Yin downwardly extending fingers 38.

Before the casing |8 can be secured to the housing I0 by the latches I9, a band 39 (Figures 1 and 2) is placed around the housing I0 and casing I8. Theband has voutwardly turned clamp portions 40 which hold a screw 4| and nutv42.L The band is provided with spaced flanges 43 which are inwardly turned so as to hold clips 44; The clips extend through openings 45 in the housing I0 and casing |8fand press against the wall of the container I4. The clips are inserted through the openings-45 while the screw 4| is loose, yand the band is then rotated so that the clips are contained'by the ilanges 43. After the flanges 43 have been aligned with the clips 44, the screw 4| is tightened so as to press the band 3 9 against the housing I0 and casing I8. The band is removed after the latches |9 are locked by the ngers 38.

The lingers 38 are riveted at 46 (Figures 1 and 5) to a cylinder 41 having an annular lip 48 (Figure 1). The lip 48 engages a flange 49 on a supporting cylinder 50. A helical spring 52 is compressed between the flange 49 and an upwardly cupped rim 54on a disc 55. The'spring 52 is secured to the disc 55 as by wires 56 which loop around the end coil of the spring and extend Vthrough holes 51 in the disc rim 54, Vthe ends of the Wires being twisted to maintain the Wire in position. The disc 55 is secured to the parachute container I4 as by a nut and boltcombination 58 and is also secured to the supporting cylinder 50 as by screws 62 while the release apparatus is being assembled. The screws 62 arel removedV after the latches- I9 have been closed, since the spring 52 is then held by the lip 48 on the cylinder 41.

A bracket 64 is attached to the supporting cylinder 50 as by screws 66. VThe bracket has a portion 68 which extends obliquely downwardly and a horizontal portion which is integral with the portion 68. A bracket 12 is attached as by screws 14 to the oblique portion 68 and is provided with va ange 16 having a hole 18. A pusher rod 80 extends through the hole 18 and through a hole 82 in the oblique portion 68 of the bracket 64. A compressed helical spring 84 is positioned on the pusher rod 80 between the flange 16 and acollar; .l v

The pusher rod 80 extends into an annular gap 88 between the lip 48 and a cylindrical stop 90. The stop 90 is screwed into the housing I0 so that it will abut the pusher rod 80 when the latches I9 are closed. Wires 92 are inserted through holes 94 in the stop 90 and through holes 96 in the cylinder 50 and 'are twisted at their` ends in a manner similar to the wires 56.

The Ypusher rod pushes upwardly and radially inwardly upon a plunger 98 which is mounted on a pin |89 extending through a hole |02 in the horizontal portion 10 o`f the .bracket 64. The plunger 98 in turn pressesagainst a cam I 04 in a timing mechanism` generally indicated at |05 (Figures 1, 'Land 8). The timing mechanism |05 is mounted'as by screws |06 and nuts |01 on thevcylinder 50 and is separated from the cylinder by a spacing platey |08.- APlates |09, |I0 and III are provided to position and support the components in the timing mechanism |05.V p Y The cam |04 (Figures '7, 8 and 9) is mounted on a shaft 4 journaled in the plates 09, ||0, and II I, and is provided with ya notched portion IIE. The inner end of a compressed helical spring ||8 is attached to theshaft II4 and the helical spring is wound around the shaft I I4 and attached to one of`V the nuts |01 at its outer end. A clutch plate |22 and `gear |24 are rigidly mounted on the shaft ||4 and a ber disc |26 and gear |28 are loosely mounted on the shaft. The clutch plate |22 and gear I 28 are in frictional engagement with thehfiber disc |26.

The gear |284 engages a pinion gear |29 on a shaft |30 journaled in theplates |09 and ||0. The shaft |30 carriesan idler gear` |33 which engages a pinion gear |34'on a shaft |36 'journaled in the plates |09 and I0. Aratchet'wheel |39 (Figures 7,8,9 and-10) is mounted on the shaft v|36 for alternate engagement with a pair f pins |40 and |4|.-" The pins are connected to an inertia weight |43 which is mounted on a shaft |42. As the ratchet vwheel rotates, it rocks the inertia weight back and forthin a pendulumlike motion by alternately engaging the pins |40 and|4|. i-' A The ratchet wheel |39 is normally prevented from rotating by a pin |44 (Figures 7, 8 Vand 10) which engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel.

The pin |44 has collars |45, I 41 and |49 whichY rest in suitable sockets in the plates |09, I0, and I I I, respectively. The collars |41 and |49 are separated by a throat portion |52. A flange |54 is located between the collars' |45 and |41 and is separated from the collar V| 41 by a throat portion |56. An inertia weight 58 is loosely mounted on thecollar, and leaf springs |60 are attached under tension to pins |62 (Figure 8) in the inertia weight so as to exert radial forces upon the collar |41.i Forces are alsoexerted upon the collar |41 by leaf springs |63 which are attached tothe plates V| 09 and I I. These forces act toward the left upon the pin |44, as seen in Figure'8. A helical spring |64 is coiledl around the inertia Weight |58 and is positioned between the ange I54and aange on the inertia Weight |58.l

As previously stated, the'gear `|24 lis mounted on the shaft I I4. This gear meshes with an idler gear |66 (Figures l'1,8 and 9) lmounted on a shaft |68 journaledA in 'theplates ||0 :and |||j.' The gear |66 y.isdriven by a gear 12 mounted on a shaft, |14, the shaft being supported by the plates |09, ||0, and. 'I'he'shaft carries a knob |16 having` a tab 18 (Figure 8,) which limits therotation of the; knob in oneA direction by striking against a. pin |80 in the plate |09. The knob is able to rotate in an opposite direction until the tab |18 engages the pin |44. A dial. |82..cali brated in units of time may be provided around the periphery of the knob to indicate the times required to operate the timing mechanism for different rotations of the knob |16.

Before the rocket is launched, the latches i9 are closed and the'band 39 and clips 44 are removed. Theratchet wheel |39 is engagedy by the pin|44 and the spring 52 is compressed between thelip 48 on the'cylinderf41 yand the rim 54 on the'disc 55. The knob |16 is then rotated in a clockwise direction. (Figure 8) through an angle corresponding to the particular time delay desired between the trippinglof the timing mechanism |05 and the separation of the casing l0 from the housing l0. The tab |18 and pin |80 prevent the cam |04 from being rotated through yan angle which will cause the notch |6 to lie adjacent the plunger 98. As the knob |16 is turned, the gears |12, |66, and |24 with respect to the nber -disc |26 to prevent an excessive pressure from being applied through the gears |29, |33 andV |34 against the ratchet wheel |39. The slippage between the gear |28 and disc |26 `does not affect the/performance of the spring v| |8, since the Spring is pre-wound.`

When therocket is launched, it has an upward acceleration in the order of g.v The upward'ac'- celeration of the rocket causes a downward force to be exerted on the inertia weight |58, and this downward force is of sucient magnitude to overcome the upward force exerted on the inertia Weightl by the spring |64. As a result, the inertia weight slides downwardly on the pin |44 until the springs |60, which are tensioned by the collar |41, become aligned with the throat portion |56. The springs |60 then relax by expanding into the throat portion |56 and prevent lany further movement of the inertia weight |58 with respect to the pin |44 by holding the inertia weight-be-l tween the collar |41 and the flange |54.

When the fuel in the rocket is completely con-ll the rocket starts to decelerate and causesv sumed, an upward force to be exertedv upon the inertia weight |58 and the'k pin |44. lThis causes the collars |45, |41, and |49 to move out of their re-v spective sockets in the plates |09, ||0, and I'I respectively. The leaf springs |63 then push the pin |44 to the left in Figure 8 so as to move the pin out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel |39. They ratchet Wheel is driven by the spring I8 through the gears |28, |29, |33, and'l34, the rate of rotation of the ratchet wheel being determined by the characteristics of the inertia weight |43'. The cam |04 rotates with the gear |28, and, when the notch IIB in the' cam becomes aligned with the plunger 98, the release apparatus is operated, the operation occurring at approximately the maximum height of the rocket.

As previously stated, the compressed spring 84 causes the pusher rod 80 to press upwardly upon the plunger 98 and the plunger in turn to press upwardly upon the cam |04. When the notch I I6 becomes alignedwith the plunger 98, the spring 84 pushes the plunger into the notch. same time, the spring forces the pusher rod r80 out rotate but the gear |28 slips At the'- of the .gap .88,- releasing 'the spring. 52v for movement'against the stop 90'.. As Vthe spring 52 moves through'the gap 88.,.it disengagesthe fingers' 38 from thei studs-32 fandlfrees. the links 28 for move'-` 1 ment'jout` v.ofithesockets 30.1.,.The pivotal movement oftthe. linksf28 causes them to-y press upon the grooves 2.1,-rin. the; key 26 vin such a manner that. the links "'pivot outofftheir. sockets 24.

When'. the latches |-9 are opened, the spring 52 becomes free to relax completelyY and instan;- taneously acts upon thefdisc 55, the container |4 andthe cylinder |'1.fThis instantaneous force causeslthe cylinder |1, the casingv |8, the measuring .andtransmitting apparatus in the casing and the'parachute |5.to be. catapulted from the rocket body- Thecasing, being loosely fitted on the measuring: and transmitting. equipment, falls away from the other released: parts and the parachute opens. Thus', as the` measuring and trans'- mitting equipment slowly descends to the ground, the equipment is able' lto measure airV temperae ture and air "pressureatlfdifferent heights vand to transmit these.v measurements to aA ground station for recordation and analysis.

As may be seen, Athe timing mechanism |05 can be cocked onlyv by a downwardl force of relatively'v large magnitude and the mechanism can fbe tripped' only by an upward force of smaller mage' nitude. The release apparatus can be operated only after the timing mechanism hasv been cocked and tripped. As a result, the release apparatus cannot be operated until after the rocket has been launched, thus preventing any accidental or manual operation.

When the notch ||6 in thefc'am |04 becomes aligned-with the plunger 98 Vand the pusher rod moves out of the gap 88, the spring 52 performs a double function. First it moves through the gap 88 to release the fingers from the studs 32. After thelatches |9 havevbeen opened, the spring catapults the` casing |78, the measuring and transmitting apparatus in the casing, the cylindeic'l |1,l and the parachute I5 from the rocket bo y.

Although this invention has been disclosed' and means operativevby a force in one direction' to prepare the restraining means for-release, and means operative by a` force in an opposite direction to release the restraining means'.

2. Apparatus for releasing a rstmechanism from a second mechanism after a predetermined period ofi time, including, aratchet wheel, a pivot pin restraining the rotation of the ratchet wheel, means operative by a movement in one direction to prepare the pivot pin for movement in' an opposite direction, means operative by a movement of the pin in the opposite direction to release the pin from the ratchet wheel, a restrained spring operative to apply a releasing force to the first mechanism, and meansfope'rative' to release the spring aftera predeterminedfrotation'of the Apparatus for, releasin'garst mechanismV froma 'second mechanism .after a predetermined* period offtime afterthe occurrence of the predetermined. force; "means for.v latching .the first mechanism to thesecond mechanism, and means operable .'tozopenV the-.latching means upon the vpartial'releaseofthe spring.

4. Apparatus forfreeing. a first mechanism from. a second'. mechanismv after a predetermined period'of'time, including, a spring connected to the'second mechanism, means for maintaining the spring ina restrained. position, latches on the first mechanism adaptedto vsecurethe first mechanism to the second mechanism, means for retaining .the latches in a ,closed position, and means'for partiallyreleasing the spring to free the latchesfrom their. retaining means such that the spring may become fully released'to separate the rst mechanism from the; second mechanism.

5. Apparatus for releasing a rfirst mechanism from a second mechanism? after a` predetermined period-of time, including, a recoiled spring, a stop separable by a limited gap from the spring, means for normally restraining the spring from moving against the stop, a cam operable upon the restraining means to releasek the spring for movementagainstthe stop,v means for preventing the cam jfromnormally moving into its Yoperative position, and means operative :by a forceof predetermined magnitude and direction to free the cam for movement. n c

6. Apparatus for releasing a first mechanism from a second mechanism after a predetermined period of time, including a recoiled spring, Va stop separablebya limited gap from the spring, means for normally restraining `the spring from moving against the; Stop, a camoperable upon the restraining means to release the spring for'movement against the stop, means for preventing theV cam from normally moving into its operative position, means voperative by a force'of predetermined .magnitude and direction to freev the cam for movement, and means for delaying the movement vof the cam into its operative position for a predetermined period of time after the occurrence of the required force.

7. Apparatus for: freeing a rst mechanism from a second mechanism after a predetermined period of time, `including, a spring 'associated `With the second mechanism, means for maintaining the springin a constrained position, latches on the rst mechanism adapted to secure the first mechanism to the second mechanism, means for retaining the latches in a closedA position, means operative by a force ofl predetermined magnitude for partially releasing the spring, thev latches being freed from their retaining means.

upon the partial release of the spring and freeing the spring for completeY release, the rst mechanism becoming separated fromY the second mechanism upon the complete release of the spring, and means for delaying the freeing of the latches for a predetermined time interval after the occurrence ofthe force.v Y y 8. Apparatus for releasing a first mechanism from a second mechanismafter a predetermined period of time,- including, a ratchet wheel, means normallypreventing the ratchet wheel from rotating,.means operative by a force of predetermined'. magnitude and direction to release theI ratchet Wheel for rotation, motive means for driving .the yratchet wheel after its release, a cam. coupled-to the ratchet Wheel, a restrained spring,

for releasing the latchingmeans upon the .partialv relaxation of the .spring and for simultaneously releasing the springfor full relaxation so as. to separatethe rst mechanism from the second mechanism.' 1'. g f

9. ApparatusV for freeing ,av rst mechanism from a second mechanism, including a cam, means for normally' preventing the cam from rotating, means operative by a predetermined forcev to release the Ycam for'r'otation, a spring, means for retaining the spring in coiled position, a stop,i means .for further ceiling the springto maintainpthespring a predetermined distance from the stop, a cam, means for rotating the cam, movementagainst the stop 'after afpredetermined rotation of the cam, means for normally latching.

period of time, including, a spring, means forY retaining thespring in recoiled position, astop, means for maintaining the retaining means a predeterminedY distancefrom the stop, latching means for locking the first mechanism to the second'mechanism, means connected to the retaining means and to the latching means to maintain the latching means in closed position.

andv the spring in recoiled position during the time that the retaining means is spaced from the stop, and means operative by a predetermined force to release the retaining means for movement against the stop so that the latching means` may become opened and the spring may be released fcrmovement to catapult the rst mechanism from the second mechanism.

11.*.Apparatus for freeing a rst mechanismv from a second mechanis m, including, rst linkages pivotable on.;r thek rst mechanism, second linkages pivotableon the iirst. linkages, a pin extending through each andthe second mechanism, means for engaging the pins to maintain the pins in extended position for the engagement of the iirst mechanism by the second mechanism, a spring, means Vassociated with `the pin-engaging means for maintaining the spring in a partially constrained position, a stop, Aa pusher rod adapted to lbe positioned between the spring and the stop to maintain the spring in a further constrained position, and means operative by a predetermined force to move the pusherrod from its location Ibetween the spring and thestopso `as to release the spring for movement against the stop and the engaging means from contact with the pin.

l2. Apparatus fonfreeing aY rst mechanisml Y a spring, Vmeans associated with the lingers for maintaining the spring' ina rovfthe second linkages second Alinkages adapted to extendv second mechanism, a'ngeradapted partially coiled position during the extension of the linkages, a stop, a pusher rod for further coiling the spring by maintaining a predetermined gap between the spring and the stop, a plunger associated with the pusher rod, means for normally blocking the movement of the plunger and the pusher rod, means operative by a predetermined force to remove the blocking means from the path of the plunger, and means operative upon the release of the plunger to move the pusher rod from the gap between the spring and the stop so that the spring can move against the stop and release the linkages for a pivotal relaxation.

13. Apparatus for freeing a first mechanism from a second mechanism, including, a latch adapted to retain the rst mechanism in xed position relative to the second mechanism when closed and to free the first mechanism from the second mechanism when released, means for engaging the latch to normally maintain it in closed position, a spring, means associated with the engaging means to maintain the spring in a coiled position, a stop, means for further coiling the spring so as to space it a predetermined distance from the stop, a cam, means for rotating the cam, means for normally preventing the cam from rotating, means operative upon the occurrence of a predetermined force to release the cam for rotation, and means associated with the cam and the spacing means and operative after a predetermined rotation of the cam to move the spacing means so that the spring may move against the stop and release the latch for the disengagement of the rst mechanism from the second mechansm.

14. Apparatus for freeing a first mechanism wheel from rotating, means operative by a -predetermined'force to release the ratchet Wheel for rotation, a cam rotatable upon the release of the ratchet wheel, a plunger operative by the cam after a predetermined rotation of the cam, a stop, a constrained spring positioned a predetermined distance from the stop, means operative by the plunger to partially relax the spring for movement against the stop, rst linkages pivotable on the first mechanism, second linkages pivotable on the rst linkages, a pin extending through each of the second linkages and the second mechanism before the partial relaxation of the spring, and means for engaging the pins to contain the spring for an initial partial relaxation and for releasing the pins upon the partial relaxation of the spring so that the spring may completely relax and catapult the rst mechanism from the second mechanism.

DAVID C. KINNEY.

KENNETH D. PETERSON.

FREDERICK A. RINGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS v Number Name Date 1,875,616 Kohout Sept. 6, 1932 1,995,070 Lux MaI'. 19, 1935 2,025,511 Johnson Dec. 24, 1935 2,166,683 Grayson July 18, 1939 2,479,922 Gates Aug. 23, 1949 

